Method for developing application programs using program constructs

• US 20030177140A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Answer Financial Incorporated (Allstate Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Answer Financial Incorporated (Allstate Corporation)
• Inventors: Debard, Davis M., Wanzenberg, Andrew K.
• Application Number:
  US09/795,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20030177140A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

A method for using a computer system to develop an application program and a method for collecting information from an end-user are disclosed. The method for developing the application program includes the steps of defining a set of discrete program constructs, a data dictionary wherein data elements are associated with at least one of the constructs, and a standardized interaction between the constructs. The constructs can be assembled, without the use of a programming language, into a sequence to form the application program. The standardized interaction is based in part on a position of the construct in the sequence. Multiple unique application programs can be constructed that share information by sharing a single data dictionary, thus allowing the construction of applications which can reduce or eliminate the need to answer the same question more than once.

Claims

1. A method using a computer system for developing an application program, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a set of tics;

defining a data dictionary wherein data elements are associated with at least one of said tics; and

defining a standardized interaction between said tics so as to allow said tics to be assembled in a sequence to form said application program, wherein assembly of said tics in said sequence is performable without interaction with a programing language, and wherein said standardized interaction is based in part on a position of said tic in said sequence.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said application program is adapted to request only said data associated with said data elements required by said application program.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said data associated with said data elements are stored in one location and are controlled by said data dictionary.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method is employable to create multiple related application programs, each of said related application programs sharing said data dictionary.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said multiple related application programs are adapted to request only those data elements that have not already been received by another of said related application programs.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said data dictionary allows said data elements to be used by said multiple related application programs.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said data dictionary allows said data elements to be used in multiple locations within said application program.

8. A method using a computer system for the creation of an application program, comprising the steps of:

selecting a tic from a library of tics, each of said tics having a predetermined functionality;

configuring said tic; and

placing said tic in a sequence to form said application program, said predetermined functionality of each of said tics being based on a position of said tic in said sequence.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

creating a tic;

applying a tic type from a library of tic types to said tics, said tic thus having said predetermined functionality.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein a Kinetix-developer may create said application program without interacting with a programming language.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said library contains tics selected from the group consisting of:

input tics,

display tics;

section formatting tics;

function tics; and

rule tics.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of configuring comprises the step of positioning said tic within a page.

13. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of configuring comprises the step of applying sizing and formatting characteristics to said tic.

14. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of configuring comprises the step of associating said tic with a rule as defined in a rule library.

15. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein multiple application programs thusly constructed may operate concurrently.

16. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of configuring comprises the step of associating said tic with a data element as defined in a data dictionary.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein multiple application programs thusly constructed may share information by sharing said data dictionary.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said data dictionary maintains data integrity for said multiple application programs without requiring additional programming constructs.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein a number of said multiple application programs may control modification of a database through said data dictionary.

20. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said application program is an interactive voice response (IVR) program.

21. A method for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user by use of a computer system, comprising the steps of:

maintaining a sequence of tics in said computer system, each of said tics having a particular function based in part on its position in said sequence, a number of said tics being input tics, each having an associated data element;

forming a page from a set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics;

transmitting said page to an end-user terminal; and

receiving, from said end-user, data corresponding to said data element associated with said at least one input tic.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said at least one input tic in said set further has an end-user interface, said page employing said end-user interface to request said data from said end-user.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said end-user interface includes

a question to be answered;

and

formatting information.

24. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said at least one input tic employs an interface construct selected from the group consisting of:

a textbox;

a pulldown;

a listbox;

a checkbox; and

a radio button.

25. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein a tic in said set is a display tic that includes an element selected from the group consisting of:

text;

a logo;

an illustration;

a photograph;

a border,

a background;

a sound clip; and

a video clip.

26. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said set is a first set and said page is a first page, said method further comprising the steps of:

forming a second page from a second set of said tics, and

transmitting said second page to said end-user terminal.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein a tic in said first set is a page break tic that separates said first set from said second set.

28. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said computer system is a strand-alone computer system, said end-user terminal being a part of said computer system.

29. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said computer system is a server of a client-server system, said end-user terminal being a client of said client-server system.

30. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said page is a web page.

31. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said page includes HTML code.

32. A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein said at least one input tic in said set is adapted to deliver kinesthetic information to and/or receive kinesthetic information from said end-user so as to train said end-user to move as programmed.

33. A method for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user by use of a computer system, comprising the steps of:

maintaining a sequence of tics in said computer system, each of said tics having a function based on its position in said sequence, a number of said tics being input tics, each having an associated data element;

transmitting to an end-user terminal a page formed from a set of said tics;

including at least one of said input tics, said page requesting data from said end-user; and

receiving, from said end-user, said data corresponding to said data element associated with said at least one input tic, said data thus employable by others of said tics occurring subsequent to said at least one input tic.

34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein said sequence of tics is a first sequence, said method further comprising the step of maintaining a second sequence of tics in said computer system, said first and second sequences sharing a common data dictionary that maintains data integrity of said first and second sequences.

35. A method as recited in claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

storing said data in a database associated with said computer system and controlled by said data dictionary; and

recalling said data for use with said second sequence so as to avoid repeated requests for said data from said end-user.

36. A method as recited in claim 33, further comprising the step of validating said data to determine whether said data conforms to a predetermined criteria associated with said data element.

37. A method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the step of re-requesting said data from said end-user if said data does not conform to said predetermined criteria.

38. A method using a computer system for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a plurality of tics, including input tics each having a corresponding data element, and rule tics each having at least a corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a page formed from a set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics;

receiving, from said end-user, data relating to said data element for each of said input tics in said set;

applying a portion of said data received to one of said rule tics associated with said set to modify at least one subsequent tic in said first set in accordance with said corresponding action of said rule tic; and

[_KW1]

changing at least a portion of said page based on the modification.

39. A method as recited in claim 38, wherein said rule tic runs on said end-user terminal to change said page.

40. A method as recited in claim 39, further comprising the step of initiating a second sequence of tics as a function of said rule tic.

41. A method as recited in claim 40, further comprising the step of providing guidance to said end-user via said second sequence of tics.

42. A method as recited in claim 38, wherein said rule tic is capable of performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of:

causing at least one subsequent tic to become visible or invisible to the end-user;

changing a value of at least one subsequent tic;

associating a different pulldown with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-populating pulldown elements associated with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-ordering a sequence of said subsequent tics; and

causing a subordinate sequence of tics to become active.

43. A method using a computer system for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a plurality of tics, including input tics each having at least one corresponding data element, and rule tics each having at least one corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a first page formed from a first set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics;

receiving, from said end-user, data relating to said data element for each of said input tics in said first set;

applying at least a portion of said data received to one of said rule tics associated with said first set to modify at least one tic in a subsequent set of said tics in accordance with said corresponding action of said rule tic;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a subsequent page formed based on the modification; and

receiving, from said end-user, data relating to said data element for each input tic in said subsequent set.

44. A method as recited in claim 43, wherein said rule tic runs on said computer system to affect said subsequent page transmitted to said end-user terminal.

45. A method, using a computer system, for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a sequence of tics, including input tics each having a corresponding data element, and rule tics each having a corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a page formed from a set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics, said page requesting data from said end-user;

receiving, from said end-user, said data corresponding to said data element associated with said at least one input tic;

applying said data to one of said rule tics associated with said set to determine whether said data conforms to a predetermined criteria associated with said data element; and

re-requesting said data from said end-user if said data does not conform to said predetermined criteria.

46. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said computer system is a server of a client-server system, said end-user terminal being a client of said client-server system, said rule tic running on said server.

47. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said computer system is a server of a client-server system, said end-user terminal being a client of said client-server system, said rule tic running on said client.

48. A method as recited in claim 47, wherein a tic in said set is a page break tic that sends said data to said server if said data conforms to said predetermined criteria.

49. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said sequence of tics is a first sequence, said method further comprising the step of initiating a second sequence of tics that provides guidance to said end-user.

50. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein said second sequence of tics is hosted by said first sequence.

51. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein said first and second sequences share a common data dictionary that maintains data integrity of said first and second sequences.

52. A method using a computer system for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of

maintaining in said computer system a sequence of tics, including input tics each having a corresponding data element, and rule tics each having a corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a page formed from a set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics, said page requesting data from said end-user;

receiving, from said end-user, said data corresponding to said data element associated with said at least one input tic; and

applying said data to at least one of said rule tics associated with said set to determine whether tics subsequent to said rule tic are to be modified.

53. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein said rule tic is capable of performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of:

causing at least one subsequent tic to become visible or invisible to the end user;

changing a value of at least one subsequent tic;

associating a different pulldown with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-populating pulldown elements associated with at least one subsequent input tic;

reordering a sequence of said subsequent tics; and

causing a subordinate sequence of tics to become active.

54. A method as recited in claim 52, further comprising the step of causing a portion of subsequent tics to be visible and another portion of said subsequent tics to be invisible so as to avoid presenting questions that arc inapplicable to said end-user.

55. A method as recited in claim 52, further comprising the step of calculating data values for subsequent tics based on said data received from said end-user.

56. A method as recited in claim 52, further comprising the step of pre-filling subsequent tics with values based on said data received from said end-user.

57. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein said rule tic is a transformation rule, said method further comprising the step of classifying said data received from said end-user into one of a plurality of categories.

58. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein said rule tic is a transformation rule, said method farther comprising the step of parsing said data received from said end-user into a plurality of database fields.

59. A method using a computer system for the dynamic collection of information from an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a plurality of tics, including input tics each having a corresponding data element, rule tics each having a corresponding action, and page break tics;

selecting a first set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics and concluding with one of said page break tics;

transmitting said first page to said end-user terminal, said first page being formed from said first set;

receiving, from said end-user terminal, data corresponding to said data element for each respective input tic in said first set;

applying at least a portion of said data thus received to at least one of said rule tics to modify at least one subsequent input tic in accordance with a corresponding action of said rule tic;

selecting a subsequent set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics and concluding with another one of said page break tics, wherein at least one of said tics in said subsequent set has been modified by said at least one of said rule tics;

transmitting said subsequent page to said end-user terminal, said subsequent page being formed from said subsequent set; and

receiving, from said end-user terminal, data corresponding to said data element for each respective input tic in said subsequent set.

60. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein said tics are organized in sequential sets, each of said tics having a universal interface for interfacing with others of said tics, said universal interface defining data exchange rules for said tics.

61. A method as recited in claim 59, further comprising the step of storing said data in a database associated with said computer system.

62. A method as recited in claim 61, further comprising the step of pre-filling at least one of said subsequent tics with said data stored in said database.

63. A method as recited in claim 59, further comprising the step of pre-filling at least one of said subsequent tics with values based upon sets of criteria effected by rule logic.

64. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein at least one of said tics is hidden from said end-user.

65. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein a function of one of said tics is to display progress indications to said end-user.

66. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein a function of one of said tics is to create tabs to delineate sub-sections composed of one or more tics.

67. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein a function of one of said tics is to create expandable tree-like folders within a section that permit hyperlinks back to more specific parts of said section.

68. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein a function of one of said tics is to classify said data received from said end-user into one of a plurality of categories.

69. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein one of said tics employs an interface construct selected from the group consisting of:

a textbox;

a pulldown;

a checkbox; and

a radio button.

70. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein said end-user terminal includes an output device capable of providing an end-user interface in a form selected from the group consisting of:

a visual form;

an aural form;

an olfactory form;

a tactile form;

a gustatory form; and

a kinesthetic form.

71. A method as recited in claim 59, wherein one of said tics is employed to link said end-user to additional information.

72. A method using a computer system for the dynamic exchange of information with an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a plurality of tics, including input tics each having a corresponding data element, and rule tics each having at least a corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a page formed from a set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics;

receiving, from said end-user, data relating to said data element for each of said input tics in said set;

applying a portion of said data received to one of said rule tics associated with said set to modify at least one subsequent tic in said first set in accordance with said corresponding action of said rule tic; and

[KW2]

changing at least a portion of said page based on the modification so as to provide said end-user with information based on said data received.

73. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein said rule tic is capable of performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of:

causing at least one subsequent tic to become visible or invisible to the end-user;

changing a value of at least one subsequent tic;

associating a different pulldown with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-populating pulldown elements associated with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-ordering a sequence of said subsequent tics; and

causing a subordinate sequence of tics to become active.

74. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein said information thus provided to said end-user is kinesthetic information.

75. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein said information thus provided to said end-user is used to train said end-user.

76. A method using a computer system for the dynamic exchange of information with an end-user at an end-user terminal, comprising the steps of:

maintaining in said computer system a plurality of tics, including input tics each having at least one corresponding data element, and rule tics each having at least one corresponding action;

transmitting to said end-user terminal a first page formed from a first set of said tics, including at least one of said input tics;

receiving, from said end-user, data relating to said data element for each of said input tics in said first set;

applying at least a portion of said data received to one of said rule tics associated with said first set to modify at least one tic in a subsequent set of said tics in accordance with said corresponding action of said rule tic; and

transmitting to said end-user terminal a subsequent page formed based on the modification, wherein said subsequent page provides said end-user with information based on said data received.

77. A method as recited in claim 76, wherein said rule tic is capable of performing at least one function selected from the group consisting of:

causing at least one subsequent tic to become visible or invisible to the end-user;

changing a value of at least one subsequent tic;

associating a different pulldown with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-populating pulldown elements associated with at least one subsequent input tic;

re-ordering a sequence of said subsequent tics; and

causing a subordinate sequence of tics to become active.

78. A method as recited in claim 76, wherein said information thus provided to said end-user is kinesthetic information for training said end-user to move as programmed.